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LEE GORDON JOINS MERCURY MARINE AS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

Mercury Marine announces the addition of Lee Gordon as Director of Public Relations. Gordon comes to Mercury with an accomplished career as a television anchor for CBS and FOX affiliates across the country, including Tallahassee and Jacksonville, Fla. For the past few years, he has been the director of corporate communications at 180 Communications, a public relations firm in Tallahassee. Gordon also spent time as a sideline reporter for the NFL on FOX.

Read More LEE GORDON JOINS MERCURY MARINE AS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
GOST TO PROVIDE LIVE DEMOS OF GLOBAL REMOTE MARINE SECURITY, MONITORING, VIDEO SURVEILLANCE & GPS TRACKING

The GOST® (Global Ocean Security Technologies) Nav-Tracker line of GPS tracking systems utilitzes the Inmarsat Satellite Constellation for all communication and control, providing complete global coverage everywhere in the world except the extreme poles. Nav-Tracker systems report to the GOST Nav-Tracker website where customers can add up to 10 recipients to receive emails/text messages from the system, as well as remotely arm and disarm a 500-meter geofence around the vessel. If the boat moves outside of the geofence when armed, the system will send geofence breach messages with the speed, heading, and location of the vessel to designated recipients. Different GOST Nav-Tracker systems are available to meet the needs of boat owners, such as the GOST Nav-Tracker 1.0 Insurance package which provides tracking only and includes a push button to locally arm and disarm the geofence.

Read More GOST TO PROVIDE LIVE DEMOS OF GLOBAL REMOTE MARINE SECURITY, MONITORING, VIDEO SURVEILLANCE & GPS TRACKING
MRRA HIRES MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) has announced the hire of Hannah Muerhoff as MRAA membership coordinator. Muerhoff assumed the role in late January and now serves as the primary contact for all MRAA membership-related inquiries from both current and prospective members.

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CHRIS KOHLER HAS RETIRED FROM HIS POSITION AS SALES MANAGER AT HUTCHINGS MARINE PRODUCTS

Chris started at Hutchings in April of 1996 as a Sales Representative and took on the role of Sales Manager in 2001. Chris’ personal experience as a partner and operating manager of Muskoka Harbour & Cove in the early 90’s gave him great insight as to how he could better serve his customers. He could give his personal attention to customers, fellow employees, and strangers alike, creating a connection with them quickly. He would go out of his way to ensure that he could get someone what they needed as soon as they needed it.

Read More CHRIS KOHLER HAS RETIRED FROM HIS POSITION AS SALES MANAGER AT HUTCHINGS MARINE PRODUCTS
NADEN BOATS NOMINATED FOR CANADIAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION “CORPORATE COMMITMENT AWARD”

Our readers will be pleased to learn that the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Ontario Region has nominated Naden Boats for the 2014 Corporate Commitment Award. Naden Boats' 2013 Pink Boat Tour campaign was very successful as a fund-raising campaign and Boating Industry Canada and Canadian Yachting were among the media outlets that supported Naden Boats' campaign.

Read More NADEN BOATS NOMINATED FOR CANADIAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION “CORPORATE COMMITMENT AWARD”
ESTABLISHED YACHT DEALER IN THE SOUTH TO REPRESENT PRESTIGE YACHTS

Prestige Yachts announces it has added Galati Yacht Sales to their growing list of dealers in North America. Galati Yacht Sales will represent the Gulf Coast of Western Florida, along the Panhandle all the way into Louisiana and joins Prestige as one of four Boating Industry Magazine’s Hall of Fame Dealerships. Galati Yacht Sales is a family owned business based from Anna Maria, FL and manages a total of nine locations with five locations throughout Florida and Alabama.

Read More ESTABLISHED YACHT DEALER IN THE SOUTH TO REPRESENT PRESTIGE YACHTS
KOBELT ANNOUNCES HIRING OF INDUSTRY VETERANS TO HELP FURTHER DEVELOP CUSTOMER RELATIONS

Lance Lidstone and Sylvain Robitaille join Kobelt to help expand marine industry focus and success. Kobelt announced today the hiring of Lance Lidstone and Sylvain Robitaille as Business Development Managers. Both will report directly to David Bockhold, CEO, and will be responsible for business development in the controls and steering sectors worldwide.

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Towing & Salvage – Do Your Customers Understand Towing & Salvage for Recreational Boaters?

Do Your Customers Understand Towing & Salvage for Recreational Boaters?

The editors at Boating Industry Canada recently became aware of the subtleties and complexities around towing and salvage and the fact the few recreational boaters are likely to know the difference. Also, in the situation where a recreational boater is stranded by an engine failure, running out of fuel or other mishap, they may be upset or panicked and can say the wrong thing to a potential salvor. We turned to Drew Robertson of Skippers’ Plan Insurance to help us all better understand this situation. The properly insured recreational boater is likely covered in either situation but those without comprehensive coverage could be in major trouble even in a minor mishap. Here is what Drew told us.

Read More Towing & Salvage – Do Your Customers Understand Towing & Salvage for Recreational Boaters?
C & L Boatworks – Everything That’s Old Is New Again!

Everything That’s Old Is New Again!

Help your customers “rediscover” relaxing weekends

Everyone agrees that we want more people to get involved in boating, but to attract them, I think it’s important that we help our customers rediscover how to relax and enjoy their weekends!

Until we have a bonfire of smart phones and iPads, our work lives are going to reach out and spoil our fun at every opportunity, so we need to find ways of making our recreational time at the college (and out on the water), as valuable and memorable as we can. A sailboat can be a great escape.

Read More C & L Boatworks – Everything That’s Old Is New Again!
Duhamel & Dewar, Second Generation – Continuing A Legend

The attractive young woman turned to her male companion and said, “I think we should get this one. The price seems good. It already comes with everything….and we’re ready to go.” Everyone in her group of friends nodded their approval as they walked away from the Legend Boats display at the Toronto International Boat Show this past January.

Once again, the Legend marketing approach was effective.

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Will Positive Economic Conditions Translate into Boat Sales?

INSIGHT

Will Positive Economic Conditions Translate Into Boat Sales?

Generally, we seem to be seeing an improving economic picture on an almost global basis, and a solid looking 2014 ahead for Canada from many perspectives…but will these positive economic conditions translate into boat sales?

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SETTING THE STANDARDS FOR MARITIME SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE

Countless boaters and commercial mariners owe their lives in large part to an organization that most of them never knew existed. Many others who go to sea can thank the same group for helping to ensure that their communications and navigation systems perform as advertised. That organization is the RTCM—the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services. Its primary job is developing technical standards for a long list of marine electronics, from survival signaling devices such as EPIRBs

Read More SETTING THE STANDARDS FOR MARITIME SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE
FROM SHOW TO SEA WITH THE NEW SUN ODYSSEY 349

To sail the new Sun Odyssey 349 is simplicity itself. Known for his design of great performing boats in this size range, Marc Lombard delivers a terrific performing boat, comfortable inside and out, easy to sail, admired by all who see her. This boat features a new double-spreader swept back rig from Selden. The mast arrangement completely eliminates the need for
backstays

Read More FROM SHOW TO SEA WITH THE NEW SUN ODYSSEY 349
XANATOS MARINE WINS BEST INTERNATIONAL TRADE BY SMALL BUSINESS BC

At the Small Business BC Awards last week, Xanatos Marine, a North Vancouver based company providing maritime security and monitoring systems assisting authorities secure their waterways from illegal activity and environmental disasters as well as provide safety for their citizens, was awarded Best International Trade.

Read More XANATOS MARINE WINS BEST INTERNATIONAL TRADE BY SMALL BUSINESS BC
FRIDAY HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT ON LAKE SIMCOE

Let me start by confessing that it’s not a billion-dollar bet–it’s more like $1.5 billion. You know how some people think the media is given to exaggeration, so we thought we’d understate this one for impact! It’s hard to imagine that much money in one place and it’s harder still to grasp the scope of the new Friday Harbour development that is taking place at Big Bay Point on Lake Simcoe in Ontario.

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SEA RAY’S NEW L-CLASS YACHTS AND PLANT IMPROVEMENTS, MARKED BY RIBBON-CUTTING EVENT

Following the recent successful introduction of a new premium yacht series – the L-Class – Sea Ray celebrated several infrastructure improvements at its Palm Coast yacht manufacturing facility during a waterfront ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Feb. 28. The centerpiece of the celebration was a new extended water test ramp. Attending the event were several notable Florida state officials, including State Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection Hershel Vinyard and District 6 Constituent Services Manager Sue Bower.

Read More SEA RAY’S NEW L-CLASS YACHTS AND PLANT IMPROVEMENTS, MARKED BY RIBBON-CUTTING EVENT
EPA ACTS TO PROTECT WORLD’S LARGEST WILD SALMON FISHERY FROM PEBBLE MINE

Agency invokes Clean Water Act to consider permanently barring mine waste dumping in Bristol Bay watershed Dillingham, AK & Washington, DC: Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it is invoking its Clean Water Act authority to assess permanently prohibiting or restricting mine waste disposal into Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed. This decision puts on hold attempts to build the Pebble Mine, which would be North America’s largest open pit gold-copper mine.

Read More EPA ACTS TO PROTECT WORLD’S LARGEST WILD SALMON FISHERY FROM PEBBLE MINE
CAMPION BOATS EXTENDS A HELPING HAND TO KELOWNA CAMPER BUSINESS AFTER FIRE

When a Kelowna, BC business building pickup truck campers caught fire, it was a Kelowna neighbour who extended a helping hand to keep the 40 person business in business to make their spring deliveries.

Read More CAMPION BOATS EXTENDS A HELPING HAND TO KELOWNA CAMPER BUSINESS AFTER FIRE
MERCURY MARINE NAMED 2013 WISCONSIN MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR

Mercury Marine was named 2013 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year on Thursday in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Awards are presented annually by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) to leading Wisconsin-based manufacturers that produce world-class products and create employment opportunities in their communities. Mercury Marine took top honours in theMega category, which recognizes companies with more than 750 employees. Mercury employs 5,400 people worldwide, with 3,100 employees in Wisconsin.

Read More MERCURY MARINE NAMED 2013 WISCONSIN MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR
CHECK THOSE CONNECTIONS!

Recently I read a report provided by Boat US, the largest insurer of recreational boats in the US,
that looked at their top ten insurance claim areas over the last five years. Number 5 on their list
caught my eye. While only representing only 2.5% of all claims in the past five years, boat fires
and explosions came in at number two on their list in terms of dollars paid out in claims. Number
one was theft. The reason for this extreme dollar amount is that theft, fire and boat explosions
almost always equate to a total loss for the insurer.

Read More CHECK THOSE CONNECTIONS!

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